Search Results for: blog pet first aid poison

Keeping Pets Safe on Halloween

Halloween is my favorite holiday. I think it’s due to many happy childhood memories I have of this season and of this holiday in particular. But it just might be my pets’ least favorite, as a new report calls Halloween the most dangerous holiday for pets. The Baltimore Sun has the scoop from the Pet Poison Hotline. Just hearing the name of the company releasing the report makes it obvious why Halloween is considered so dangerous: chocolate. That’s right; the hotline says that calls made to it go up 12% this time of year. The first step I should take … Continue reading →

How to Feed Pills to Pets

Let’s continue with the recent theme I’ve had of posting, in between stories about my new cat Chrestomanci, articles about pet health and how to manage it. I’ll start today’s topic with a story. One summer when I was a teenager my cat Boots contracted food poisoning. We took him to the vet, who gave us some pills for him. We had problems feeding him the pills. None of us had any experience doing so, and though we got those capsules into his mouth all right, he was a master at making us think he’d ingested them and then spitting … Continue reading →

Pet First Aid: Safe Household Treatments

At various vet trips we’ve received advice to treat our pets with doses of Benadryl, Zyrtec, and Neosporin. That’s right: medicines we think are for people can also be for pets. There are actually a number of household items or medications we can employ if our animals are having problems. The trick is knowing exactly what medicines, and how much of them, are safe for our pets. For example: most dogs should only have one Benadryl a day. If giving the pet Zyrtec, it should only receive the normal kind – make sure it doesn’t have any decongestants or other … Continue reading →

First Aid for Nausea

Thankfully, nausea doesn’t automatically mean you’re going to throw up. Nausea is the sensation that accompanies the urge to vomit. Other feelings that may show up with nausea (feeling sick to your stomach) can include: feeling weak or sweaty and having too much saliva in your mouth. Sometimes, nausea (and vomiting) is a sign of some other illness. Common causes for nausea can include: a virus, food poisoning, stress and other mental health issues, some medications, migraines, inner ear issues, drug and/or alcohol abuse, and pregnancy. Occasional nausea can often be treated at home. Here are some things to try: … Continue reading →

Accidental Poisoning: Common Culprits

An accidental poisoning can be a life or death situation. Knowing the symptoms of poisoning can help you get treatment quickly… but knowing the most common household hazards can help you prevent the situation entirely. A poison is any substance that disrupts the normal function of the body. Poison can be eaten or drunk, inhaled, injected, or absorbed through the skin. Keep your local poison control center phone number handy! Put a copy of that number (and other emergency numbers) in your first aid kit AND post an emergency phone list by your house phone. You don’t want to have … Continue reading →

Symptoms of Accidental Poisoning

An accidental poisoning can be a serious, life-threatening emergency. Knowing the signs of poisoning can help you take action quickly… and maybe safe a life. A poison can be ingested, inhaled, injected, or absorbed through the skin. A person who has been poisoned may become suddenly ill, or unconscious. You may notice a person who has been poisoned acting strangely. Common symptoms of poisoning can include: vomiting, stomach pain, trouble breathing, headache, fever, chills, dizziness, drowsiness, pain and swelling in the throat. If you suspect an accidental poisoning, you may also notice other signs. There may be burns or stains … Continue reading →

Water Safety for Pets

With the official start of summer just days away, this is a good time to take a look at water safety. Whether you’re bringing your pup along for a boat ride or just lounging by the pool, it is your responsibility to keep ALL family members safe. Do you know if your dog can swim? Closely supervise your pet’s first interactions with water. Forcing him into the water can lead to stress and fear — my brother tossed one of his dogs into the pool once and now she won’t go near it. Even if your dog is a strong … Continue reading →

Diamond Pet Foods Settlement

Before last year’s Menu Foods disaster that killed many dogs and cats across the country, there was another pet food recall. In late 2005, Diamond Pet Foods recalled dog food that was contaminated with a kind of mold called aflatoxin. Dozens of dogs across the United States died from severe liver damage. Diamond Pet Foods has reached a settlement with pet owners affected by the contaminated food. The company will pay more than three million dollars to affected pet owners. Owners of a dog that died from eating the contaminated food will receive up to one thousand dollars. Owners of … Continue reading →

Considering Pet Insurance?

I was thinking the other day about what I would do if I had a thousand dollars to spend on my health. One of the ideas I had was to purchase pet insurance. Pet insurance isn’t really something I’ve looked into before for Moose and Lally — I always figured I would handle emergencies as they arose (like when Moose got hit by a car this spring). First, some statistics: Only between two and three percent of American pet owners have insurance on their pets. The average annual cost for pet care in the U.S. in 1998 was $138. The … Continue reading →

What Fall Means to Your Pet: The Good, the Bad, and the Sniffly

Just like many of us humans, animals rejoice in fall’s coming too. The milder weather lends to more outdoor time, which is good, but it can also be not so good. The Good: Outdoor Time My Murph likes fall because it means more time sitting on the back deck, longer walks, and more frequent trips to the park. It’s easy to both sneak in more exercise and relaxation at this time of year. The cooler weather also often revives Murph, making him a bit more perky and frisky. He’s more inclined to play tugga-tugga with his shaky ball in the … Continue reading →